Method and apparatus for locating underground cast iron pipe joints

• US 7,466,134 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2006
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gas Technology Institute (GTI Energy)
• Original Assignee: Gas Technology Institute (GTI Energy)
• Inventors: McCarty, Joe W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Aurora; Reena
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHITTINGTON, KENNETH
• Application Number:
  US11/499,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20080030189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 324326-329, 324/228, 324/239, 324/243, 324219-221, 166/250.01, 166/255.01, 166/66, 731/524
• US Class Current: 324/327
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/72 by investigating magnetic variables

Abstract

An apparatus for locating underground cast iron pipe joints having an electrically driven resonant coil generating an alternating magnetic field and two resonant sensor coils disposed within the alternating magnetic field, each of the resonant sensor coils having an independent magnetic reluctance circuit. A device is provided for comparing electrical currents induced in each of the resonant sensor coils and a device is provided for indicating a relative magnitude of the electrical currents.

Claims

1. A method for locating underground cast iron pipe joints comprising the steps of:

determining the location and orientation of an underground cast iron pipe;

passing an oscillating electrical current through an electrically driven resonant coil disposed substantially vertically above said underground cast iron pipe, forming an oscillating magnetic field;

inducing an electrical current in each of two resonant sensor coils disposed within said oscillating magnetic field;

measuring a magnetic reluctance between said electrically driven resonant coil and each of said resonant sensor coils, producing an initial magnetic reluctance; and

measuring said magnetic reluctance while moving said coils above and parallel to said cast iron pipe, whereby measured magnetic reluctances substantially different from said initial magnetic reluctance constitutes proximity to a cast iron pipe joint.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said resonant sensor coils are aligned with said electrically driven resonant coil and disposed on opposite sides of said electrically driven resonant coil.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said resonant sensor coils are equidistant from said electrically driven resonant coil.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electrically driven resonant coil and said resonant sensor coils are in a same plane.